State of the Laboratory—1986: ORNL Engages in Collaborative Research. ORNL is performing an increasing amount of work jointly with technical groups in industry, universities, other national laboratories, and laboratories in foreign countries. This collaborative research includes a physics experiment at an accelerator in Switzerland, applications. of surface-modification techniques, studies of radon in the home, the Integrated Forest Study, breeder fuel-reprocessing tests in Japan, development and testing of SDI optical components, modeling of the Chernobyl reactor accident, and tests of superconducting magnets and pellet fueling for fusion energy.

Positive Feedback in Nature. Ecologists have increasingly come to appreciate the positive feedback processes that occur in ecosystems. These processes are self-amplifying and promote ecological change as well as biological production and diversity. Positive feedback is involved in coevolution, ecological succession, insect and disease outbreaks, and many phenomena.

The U.S.-Japan Collaboration on Breeder Fuel Reprocessing: ORNL's Role. In March 1986 the United States and Japan agreed to collaborate on developing and demonstrating breeder-reactor fuel reprocessing at a Japanese fuel-recycling pilot plant, which incorporates technology developed at ORNL. The U.S. work, mostly in remote technology, is centered at ORNL.

National Laboratories and Science Education: The University Relations Programs at ORNL. ORNL and other national laboratories play a significant role in the education and training of university students and providing unique research experiences for university faculty. To improve science education and encourage more U.S. students to choose technical careers, ORNL has developed new programs for undergraduate and precollege education.

Environmental Aspects of the Chernobyl Accident. When news of the Chernobyl nuclear accident was first announced in April 1986, ORNL scientists made calculations to determine about when the accident had occurred. Other ORNL scientists helped model the accident and used information on fission-product concentrations in Europe to determine the chemical conditions affecting the two releases of radioactivity from the stricken reactor. Since then, ORNL scientists have been analyzing environmental radiation data from Europe and the Soviet Union.

Environmental and Health Impacts of Water Chlorination. ORNL chemist Bob Jolley was the first to identify potentially hazardous organic compounds formed by adding chlorine to wastewater. He has also led an effort to identify drinking water compounds that cause thyroid disease.

Groundwater Pollution: Environmental and Legal Problems. A book edited by two ORNL researchers discusses the implications of groundwater pollution caused by human discharges of synthetic chemicals. ORNL scientists' attempts to monitor and prevent deteriorative groundwater quality are explored.